Tag: book box club

Book Box Club – October 2020

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

This months theme was ‘From Afar’ and featured a book by Ayesha Harruna Attah.

This month, as per usual, featured some great bookish goodies! Those goodies were as follows; a beautiful Readers of South Korea mug with artwork by Cindy Kang and to go along with that a Chai Hot Chocolate by The Spice Kitchen. A Kingdom of Arawiya Room Spray by Bookish Bazaar to transform your rooms into a desert-scape. A tea towel with artwork by Helen Crawford-White based off of this months book was also included. Also include was some reading samples from Grown by Tiffany D.Jackson and The Once and Future Witches by Alix E.Harrow.

This months featured book was The Deep Blue Between by Ayesha Harruna Attah. Just from the title and cover this book has caught my attention, it is a beautiful cover. This book follows twin sisters Hassana and Husseina who were torn apart after a raid on their hometown. As they face dangers, forge families and discover new cultures, their differences become evident. But their dreams offer lucid insight into each others lives and they can stay connected through this. Will they ever be reunited ?

The Deep Blue Between is a moving story of the bonds that can endure even the most dramatic change. 

I am excited to read this book and upon reading some (spoiler-free) reviews it looks like something I will enjoy immersing myself into. I had not heard of this book or author before receiving it in this book box and this is one of the reasons I love this subscription service and would recommend !!! So keep your eyes peeled for a future post on this book!

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to like, comment and share 🙂 )

Book Box Club – September 2020

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

This months theme was Once Upon a Story and featured one mystery book and some bookish goodies related to this theme.

In this months box you received 6 bookish goodies which included a weekly book planner by Vetoile on instagram so you can plan your bookish adventures. It also featured a lovely scented candle (named Ruby Slippers) by bookworm candles who can be found on etsy. It also featured some lovely notecards inspired by the book a Girl Made of Air as well as an Auryn Enamel Pin made by book box club themselves. The last two bookish goodies were a Fairy Tales cushion cover by Sparrow + Wolf and a Fairy Tails multi-wear snood with artwork by Racheal Preshy. All of these goodies are absolutely gorgeous and to a high standard!

The featured book this month was D a Tale of Two Worlds by Michel Faber.

‘The letter D is disappearing from the English language – and Dhikilo must do something to save it! With a shape-shifting magical dog by her side she heads of to the fantastical land if Liminus, where she must find and defeat a dark dictator, known as the gamp’

This book looks really interesting to me and honestly I am not too sure whether I will like it. I tend to enjoye books with a little more realism but saying that I will definitely give it a go. Thats the reason i find this subscription service to good as it allows me to try different genres and authors I wouldn’t otherwise!

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to like or comment )

Book Box Club – August

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

This month’s book box club theme is Moonlit Melodies and as usual features a book and bookish goodies that relate to this theme.

As well as the featured book you also received a bunch of great goodies! This included a #midnightsnack cookie as well as a moon child sticker pack. The sticker pack features stickers including shooting starts and moons. You also received a phantom of the opera pouch and access to The Bookshop Band album which features songs inspired by books including Alice in Wonderland. A cute door hanger was also featured which is very cute, and a heating eye mask by spacemasks.com. as well as all of that you also received an exclusive book box club pin badge!

The featured book this month is ‘Ghost Wood Song’ by Erica Waters.

The book is a young adult fiction novel.

Shady Grove inherited her father’s ability to call ghosts from the grave with his fiddle, but she also knows the fiddle’s tunes bring nothing but trouble and darkness.

But when her brother is accused of murder, she can’t let the dead keep their secrets.

In order to clear his name, she’s going to have to make those ghosts sing.

I am really excited to read this book, if I’m honest it wouldn’t have been a book I would have picked up myself but that’s the reason I love this subscription box! It allows me to explore genres and authors I wouldn’t therefor experience! You also get access to a Spotify playlist which features all the songs referenced in this novel which I think it really unique!

Again I would highly recommend this subscription box!

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(Feel free to like and comment ☺️)

Book Box Club July Subscription Box

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Book Box Club is a book subscription service where you can choose from different packages: Book box club subscription, purely books and Tales by Mail.

I received the original book box club subscription box where you receive a gift wrapped, new YA novel, access to the online book club and a selection of themed goodies. Purely Books is the monthly subscription where you receive the featured book and access to the online book club. Tales by Mail is the bi-monthly book subscription and podcast for ages 8-12 year olds)

The theme for July was Magical Talents.

The featured book this month was Splinters of Scarlet by Emily Bain Murphy. This novel is a historical fantasy novel set in 19th century Denmark where magic is a deadly gift. When Marit’s best friend Eve is adopted by a famous dancer, Marit draws upon her powers to get a job with the wealthy family in order to watch over her. But Marit has a secret motivation: her father died while working in the family’s mine, and she has reason to believe he was murdered. She begins t investigate her fathers death but as she goes further to the truth more danger arises. Magic may be the only thing that can save her – if it doesn’t kill her first.

After receiving this book, I was first drawn to the book cover and illustration as it I quite simplistic in its elements yet detailed. I read this synopsis and to me it sounds like its going to be a good book and I can’t wait to read it. Let me know in the comments if you have read this book!

Alongside this featured book you received some themed goodies. These were a Splinters of Scarlet adjustable ring by Lisa Angel, a magic bottle water flask with artwork by Girl and Type as well as a Joanna magnetic bookmark by TJ Lubrando. You also received golden alethiometer lip balm by Mad about Nature and Magical Studies Notebooks by Book Box club.

All these goodies are related to the theme and are of great quality. The are all curated and chosen for the box and regularly use small businesses and artwork from small artists which I think is great. An ideal way to promote small businesses!

You also receive an invite to the online book clubhouse to take part in a discussion alongside the author of the featured book. This is a unique feature and one I think is great. You get the chance to read and maybe discover an author then have the opportunity to meet the author, ask your questions and make new friends with the exclusive invite to the book box clubhouse!

I really love this subscription box and would highly recommend. I have written previous blog posts on the subscription box if your curious to what was in some of the previous boxes. The link to the book box club website is: https://www.bookboxclub.com

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please feel free to comment, like and share this post)

Book Box Club – January

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

THEME: Storytellers

This months theme was Storytellers. I was really excited to receive this box as I was intrigued to see what would be included in this months box.

Included this months box was a bunch of bookish goodies to enjoy. There is a Bronte Notebook by Literary Emporium to note down all your great stories and ideas. It a great little pocket sized book perfect for carrying with you on all your adventures. A magnetic storytelling kit by Book Box Club so you can write to your hearts content. Writers tips postcards are also included so you can send advice from famous storytellers all around the world. A patch that says ‘Born to Write’ is featured which was created by Wild Sally on Red bubble.

A great writers pencil case by Laura Crow from Not on the High Street is included also which has a great illustration on the perfect sized pouch. Alongside, all these goodies are a couple extras. A sample of ‘Outside’ by Sarah Anne Juckes alongside an extra postcard.

The featured book this month is ‘Monsters’ by Sharon Dogar. That follows the story of Mary, the daughter of a revolutionary author destined to write her own masterpiece. But before she can become the famed author of Frankenstein she will be swept away by scandalous storytellers and philandering philosophers.

I am excited to read this book as it would have never been something I would have generally considered yet I can’t wait to start reading.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you have ever read this book or are subscribed to a bookish subscription box.)

Book Box Club – December

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Theme: Rule the Stars

In this months box we got a bunch of goodies all related to the above theme. To begin with we got a lovely cinder candle by Elvenwick Candles which is scented with juniper, elderberries, orange and cranberries. Included was also a unashamedly bookish 2019 calendar by book box club alongside red rising pencil. A kady purse illustrated by Rowatree was also including as well as an astronaut bath bomb by Druid and the Witch.

As well as all of this we also received this months featured book which is; The Splintered Silence by Kayla Olsen.

This book is all about Captain Lindley we she navigated through chaos after the previous astronauts on the space station die from a deadly virus. Will she be able to survive this trip and solve the ships deadly secrets ?

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you receive these boxes or similar ones or have ever read the featured book )

Book Box Club – November

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Theme: Smugglers and Thieves

This months book box club subscription has the theme of smugglers and Thieves. It contains bookish goodies and a YA novel all related to this theme for those who subscribe to enjoy.

In the box, you received a multitude of goodies. There is a Captain Jack Bookmark from pirates of the Caribbean as well as a themed tea towel. There is a beautiful book bracelet to enjoy and a Neverland themes pin badge.

Also in the box is a print from the included YA book and a flag that relates to the same book.

The featured book this month is: Only the Ocean by Natasha Carthew.

“This book is a story of survival and courage in the midst of darkness. The two girls sat at opposite ends of the boat and Kel dug and stretched the oars into the ocean like her life depended upon it because it did.‘Just so you know,’ said Rose, ‘everything, and I mean everything, is your fault.’Kel Crow lives in a dead-end swamp with her deadbeat family and a damaged heart. But she has a plan to escape. It’s a one-two-three fortune story that goes: stow away on the ship, kidnap the girl, swap the girl to pay for passage to America and a life-saving operation.But the ocean is an untameable force, and wrecks ships and plans alike ...” ( Google books description)

I would highly recommend this subscription box as it allows you to explore new genres and books as well as giving you bookish goodies to enjoy!

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment your opinion on this box and if you have read this book)

Book Box Club – October

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Fantasy Lands

This months book box club subscription had the theme ‘Fantasy Lands’. This proved exciting as I didn’t really know what to expect from this box.

This months bookish goodies included a Narnia beanie hat which was created by book box club for this box which is perfect for the winter months. The box also contained crystal soap named ‘Into the Fires of Mordor’ by Pretty Suds UK. There was also a little tin of Mad Hatter’s Tea by the Tea People. You can drink this mint chocolate tea whilst eating your Coraline biscuit which was also featured.

On top of all that you were also given a ‘As Travers’ tote bag which featured artwork by Liana Kangas and Briana Mora. Perfect for transporting your bookish goodies! A ‘Bridge of Clay’ postcard could also be found along side a sample from the book ‘Three Strikes’.

The main feature of these boxes are of course the books. This month featured the book ‘The Light Between Worlds’ by Laura Weymouth. This book is about what happens when two sisters are returned to the real world after having been previously transported to a magical realm. One sister thrives whilst the other struggles. Until four words change everything:

‘ Your sister is missing’

The books follows Phillipa as she discovers what happened to her sister Evie. Did she get make it back to the realm they came from?

The book is also signed by the author which adds further interest.

The book box club also includes an invite to the clubhouse where you can join an online book club with the offer. You get the opportunity to ask the author about the book and themselves.

Yet again I highly recommend this subscription box!

Many thanks, Caitlin x

( PS please comment if you have bought this subscription box or read the featured book!)

The Other Side of Lost

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

‘The Other Side of Lost’  is my new favourite book.

The other side of lost
Source: http://www.goodreads.com

There are no crimes, mysteries or gruesome murders but it’s still my new favourite book. It is awe inspiring and beautifully written. I was engaged from the get go and loved every moment. I just finished reading it two days ago and I already want to read it again!

I think that Jessi Kirby has written an amazing book. It features a realistic character who faces the big question, who am I? It features an online influencer in the beginning who finds herself after experiencing a devastating loss. She is a lovely character who has put on a mask for the world to see in order to hide her true self. I am glad to have discovered Mari and see her journey of personal development. It may be fictitious but after every sentence I read I became more invested in her journey. She is likable and relatable. Bri is an inspiring character also. She is the center of the story and I think that is an important factor. She lived her life doing exactly what she loved and wanted to do. I want to be like Bri.

I think that ‘the other side of lost’ is a great metaphor for life right now. Everyone is becoming more obsessed with social media and how they are portrayed on it. Take the time to look at who you really are and what you really want. Follow your dreams, not your followers !

The book deals with the sensitive subject of loss and although it is a major part of the book it is not what the book is about. It shows how loss can effect someones life. If we loose a person close to us it makes us think, like it did for Mari. In her case, it made her look to her childhood and all the dreams she has with her cousin which she didn’t fulfill. She decides to go on the John Muir Trail, a hiking trail that they had both dreamed of completing together in honour of Bri. It began with wanting to complete Bri’s hike but ended with Mari finishing her own.

The book also deals with friendship and how you can find the best relationships when you least expect it, Mari stumbles upon a group of hikers and we get to see how their relationships develop. This adds extra depth to the story and makes a more relevant story about how to deal with new friendships and meeting new people.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone and I mean anyone. It is a beautiful novel which I think would suit the majority of readers. I would like to thank Jessi Kirby for writing this book and I would also like to thank Kate and Libby from Book Box Club for including it in their ‘into the woods box’. If they hadn’t included it in doubt I would have ever read it.
I love this book, please take the time to read it !

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if you have read this book or if you are going to!)

Book Box Club Unboxing

~ Caitlin Marion Dermidy ~ Leave a comment

Month: September

Theme: Into the Wild

This month saw another release of the subscription box ‘ Book Box Club’ but this wasn’t any old box as it was the 2 year anniversary of the company. This meant that there was an extra goodie within for those who bought the box.

Upon opening the box you are presented with the leaflet stating the theme and what’s included alongside the envelope with the date of the exclusive book club meeting.

These leaflets are always beautifully illustrated and this months was no exception. It was fitting with the themes as it features simplistic trees along side a bear and a fox.

Within the box there is an abundance of bookish goodies including a campers picnic bag by http://www.sassandbelle.co.uk so you can take your snacks on your adventures with you. There is also an into the woods scarf by Book Box Club which features quotes from the featured book. There is also a massage bar by Naked Sister to relax yourself after your exciting adventures alongside a Caveswater Candle. On top of all those goodies there is also a little pad to keep your plans together.

A lost boys notebook designed by Georgine Makes is also included in the box so you can journal and plan all your exciting adventures alongside sample chapters from Neal and Jarrod Shustermans book ‘Dry’.

As this was the two year anniversary of the company we were treated to a bonus book. The bonus book is ‘Damsel’ by Elana K. Arnold which isn’t due to be released until November. This book features a handsome prince, a distressed damsel and a fierce dragon with excitement throughout.

The featured book this month is ‘The Other Side of Lost’ by Jessi Kirby which is a story about when you take the time to remove yourself from technology and take an adventure. It follows a social media star who swaps her technology dependant life for a solo hike into the woods.

Yet again I highly recommend this subscription box and hope that you would enjoy Kate and Libby work as much as I do.

Many thanks, Caitlin x

(PS please comment if your are subscribed to book box club or have ever read the featured book)